Patent US5456836A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5456836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High-efficiency, self-supporting filter element made from fibers
Assignee: Albany International Corp
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Filing: 1994-02-28
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2014-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A self-supporting filter element is produced from a precursor fiber web according to one of several methods. The precursor fiber web contains heat-shrinkable fibers or binder fibers or both. The web is exposed to temperatures sufficiently elevated to cause shrinkage of the fibers or melting of the binder. After cooling the web, the filter elements produced are self-supporting, and may have densities up to 500 kg/m 3 to improve filtration while retaining good functional characteristics for operating pressure drop and air permeability. The self-supporting filter elements can be constructed of one material, and thus may be suitable for recycling.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew B. Jeffery
- 👤 George Bakis
- 👤 John Skelton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:40
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0658; B01; B01D; B01D39/00; B01D39/14; B01D39/16; B01D39/1607; B01D39/1623; B01D39/163; B29C61/006; B29C61/02; B29C61/025; B29K; B29K2065/00; B29K2067/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/25; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/14; B29L2031/726
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A self-supporting filter element comprising an assembly of fibers, said fibers having an average size smaller than 6 denier and said assembly having an average density greater than 225 kg/m 3 and less than 500 kg/m 3 when measured under a pressure of 10 kPa (1.45 psi), said assembly including a proportion of heat-shrunk fibers, which, having been heated, have shrunk to rigidity and densify said assembly to provide it with said average density, whereby said self-supporting filter element will not collapse or buckle by a pressure gradient arising in a fluid being filtered during a filtration process.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A self-supporting filter element comprising an assembly of fibers, said fibers having an average size smaller than 6 denier and said assembly having an average density greater than 225 kg/m 3 and less than 500 kg/m 3 when measured under a pressure of 10 kPa (1.45 psi), said assembly including a proportion of heat-shrunk fibers, which, having been heated, have shrunk to rigidity and densify said assembly to provide it with said average density, whereby said self-supporting filter element will not collapse or buckle by a pressure gradient arising in a fluid being filtered during a filtration process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises thermoplastic fibers of a synthetic polymeric resin, at least 50% of said fibers being heat-shrunk fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises thermoplastic fibers of a synthetic polymeric resin, said thermoplastic fibers including binder fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers includes polyimide fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers includes polyester fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers is a mixture of heat-shrunk high-shrink polyester fiber and a polyester binder fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers is 50% heat-shrunk high-shrink polyester fibers and 50% bicomponent polyester binder fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers includes polyphenylene sulfide fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers includes natural textile fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers includes mineral fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers includes metal fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly of fibers further comprises particulate matter of a chemical substance for interaction with said fluid being filtered.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 11 wherein said particulate matter comprises activated carbon particles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A self-supporting filter element as claimed in claim 11 wherein said particulate matter comprises catalyst particles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |